Page:A French Volunteer of the War of Independence.djvu/70

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A FRENCH VOLUNTEER

CHAPTER III.

Wrecked in Chesapeake Bay— Williamsburg—Mr. Jefferson—Aspect of the country between Williamsburg and the Camp at Valley Forges—Description of the American Army—Welcomed by Marquis de la Fayette—He appoints me his aide-de-camp—My mission to the Oneida Indians—American ideas of the French—The Camp at Valley Forges—General Howe's dog—Attempted sortie of the British Army from Philadelphia—The passage of the Schuylkill and return—Our ambulance surgeon—Evacuation of Philadelphia—Defeat at Rareton Rivers—Battle and Victory at Monmouth—New York blockaded—Arnold's treason—Arrest, trial, and execution of Major André—The Earl of Carlisle and Marquis de la Fayette—Comte d'Estaing before New York—Siege of Newport, Rhode Island, by Gen. Sullivan—I am charged with the re-victualling of the French fleet—The siege of Newport raised—Our departure for France on board the frigate Alliance—A storm and its consequences—Mutiny on board—Capture of a British cruiser—Arrival at Brest.

Our voyage, which was a very bad one, lasted sixty-seven days. We met with a heavy storm off the Bermudas, and were often chased by British cruisers. At last